Preview — The Privilege of Being a Woman
by Alice von Hildebrand

The Privilege of Being a Woman

Women historically have been denigrated as lower than men or viewed as privileged. Dr. Alice von Hildebrand characterizes the difference between such views as based on whether man's vision is secularistic or steeped in the supernatural. She shows that feminism's attempts to gain equality with men by imitation of men is unnatural, foolish, destructive, and self-defeating. Women historically have been denigrated as lower than men or viewed as privileged. Dr. Alice von Hildebrand characterizes the difference between such views as based on whether man's vision is secularistic or steeped in the supernatural. She shows that feminism's attempts to gain equality with men by imitation of men is unnatural, foolish, destructive, and self-defeating. The Blessed Mother's role in the Incarnation points to the true privilege of being a woman. Both virginity and maternity meet in Mary who exhibits the feminine gifts of purity, receptivity to God's word, and life-giving nurturance at their highest....more

Community Reviews

Take care before reading this, any of my liberal friends/relatives - it is very conservative - just remember I am a strong woman and feel equal in our society, because of what I bring to it. I am not trying to say that their isn't injustice or discrimination in the world, just that we should be careful how we 'generalize" anything...

This book was given to me by my CBS teacher, they are considering it for a school-wide read at her all-girl Catholic school.

I was very intrigued by the book and readTake care before reading this, any of my liberal friends/relatives - it is very conservative - just remember I am a strong woman and feel equal in our society, because of what I bring to it. I am not trying to say that their isn't injustice or discrimination in the world, just that we should be careful how we 'generalize" anything...

This book was given to me by my CBS teacher, they are considering it for a school-wide read at her all-girl Catholic school.

I was very intrigued by the book and read it with the precept of trying to imagine young women reading it. The premise was wonderful and the subject matter well presented, but I think too scholarly for high-school aged girls. Now, that being said, what this book reviews should be taught to girls ages 13-18, no question. If it was to be approached in a school setting, I would suggest a chapter a month and structured discussion time to reveal the real impact in a group setting it could be very beneficial.

The author does a good job drawing the reader in. Particularly, those of us who view ourselves as strong, well read women, by addressing feminist interests that we are often encouraged to agree with. She uses sensational and dramatic quotes from the feminists and then counters with wonderfully put together church doctrine (not sure if that is the right word).

Her analysis of the feminist movement is exceptional, particularly in how it attempts to 'de-womanize' us.

One great early quote is "In the end, unwarranted generalizations are typical of shallow minds" made me say "ha!" outloud. It was great. The feminist 'aim is supposedly to be achieved by competing with men in the work force, instead of being exiled in the kirche, kueche, and Kinder (church, kitchen and children), According to de Bouvier, liberation from the menial tasks of the home is the great noble achievement"... but the result is women 'are tortured now by the absurd modern attempt to make them domestic empresses AND competitive workers at the same time." - my notes in the margin were "isn't faith, sustenance and future what Church, kitchen and children really refer to?" what nobler task could we really have? - and I loved this:

"Unwittingly, the feminists acknowledge the superiority of the male sex by wishing to become like men. They foolishly want to alter inequality rather than to achieve truth of justice. Femininity is a a linchpin of human life; once it is uprooted, the consequences are disastrous. In fact, experience proves that feminism benefits men and harms women."

The word 'supernatural' almost needs to be defined at the outset, because otherwise those of the younger generations will just imagine magic or other cultural definitions. I did not feel I was well read enough even for this work, but her sources helped. She has well-placed sarcasm that helps to keep us connected to her points.

I felt at times, with the early chapters her progress towards her point was good, but that she didn't 'hit it home' so to say, sometimes losing the impact she had built up by how she wrapped up the chapter.

I absolutely loved chapter 5's concept of the transfiguration of weakness (The incarnation) - that "Christianity is true because it is above human invention.", "Christ, the almighty and all powerful one, chose to become weak, to teach us humility" That "indeed, it is only when we acknowledge our weaknesses, as Saint Augustine came to do, that we become strong" - Von Hildebrand builds a stronger and stronger case here "Women definitely have and advantage because it is easier for them to acknowledge that they are weak and depend on help" (you know, willing to ask for directions?) She even notes how "during Christ's passion, they showed more courage that the apostles for they braved the insults of the soldiers and dared to" be with Jesus until the very end - but then the author (in my opinion) counters all this she has built up with the statement "He allows women to be treated with contempt on earth, since He has chosen it for himself" I definitely do not agree with that!

She highlights the glorious roles assigned to women in the Bible, Mary 'declares' herself, an example of strength of character and possessing herself, von Hildebreand brings interesting points in noting that a 'true christian never solicits apologies" - I had never thought about that - and I am not sure how I feel about the comment that "Mary Magdalen believed more strongly because she loved more" - Are we sure of that, perhaps she had less to lose by demonstrating her love more publicly, not just because she was a woman...

Not to go on and on - and I could, but I like the consistent manner in which the author makes it clear that the Church has elevated women throughout the centuries., that she draws comparisons to women wanting to be just like men the way all mankind sinned in the Garden by wanting to be just like God.

"The world in which we now live is a world whose outlook is so distorted that we absolutize what is relative (money-making, power, success) and relativize what is absolute (truth, moral values, faith) Power, riches, fame, success and dominance are idolized; humility, chastity, modesty, self-sacrifice and service are looked down upon as signs of weakness... The glorification of strength and denigration of weakness - has become the shallow core of modern thought and feminist belief" (Opening of Chapter 3) - To just be able to teach discernment to our young people - to see the flaws in our contemporary values as designated here would be a huge first step in balancing our world. She makes a great point about spending millions to save baby whales yet we stand by while abortion becomes the norm for our young women.

She reminds us to keep perspective, consider all things in the light of eternity.

The book approaches all areas of being a woman from the way we dress, to the 'sex' of our bodies, she finds God in all and a tremendous amount of respect and focus on the 'strength' women bring to our societies. The last three chapters are the strongest and most clearly argue for traditional values, values that have withstood the test of time. Modesty, Chastity, Reverence of both sexes - understanding the greatness of creation within us. And while I think she is at an extreme, her teachings which are really timeless values need to be instilled in all of us, they will of course be tempered with reality, but without them our reality is sinking into the abyss...

"The state of our contemporary society sheds light on the fact that when women 'no longer know how to blush" it is a portent that this society is on the verge of moral collapse." Marchello and I often talk about how girls don't giggle much anymore, innocence is lost all too early...

The treatise on sex as an instinct, like hunger or thirst - is really wonderful - Hunger and thirst are life-critical and are about the self, sex is not, by it's very nature, no one dies for lack of it, and it involves another person, who if 'used' for it, is harmed. How can that be an instinct?

So - my overall opinion, in light of the quest I was given by Kathy? By all means, teach this to the girls, read it in groups, but not recommended for a 'school-wide' read, it's impact will be lost, perhaps even its teachings resented if not presented by a caring adult who is there to help them discern what it means for them....more

A short book, a sad book, the sort of book one would give to a pubescent daughter in the forlorn hope that she would remain pure and saintly - this is the author's attempt to defend the Catholic church against the accusation that it is sexist, is condescending to women, patriarchal, that it devalues women. Von Hildebrand is a traditional Catholic, a very conservative one, almost reactionary -is still not reconciled with the changes of Vatican II - regrets that women are no longer required to covA short book, a sad book, the sort of book one would give to a pubescent daughter in the forlorn hope that she would remain pure and saintly - this is the author's attempt to defend the Catholic church against the accusation that it is sexist, is condescending to women, patriarchal, that it devalues women. Von Hildebrand is a traditional Catholic, a very conservative one, almost reactionary -is still not reconciled with the changes of Vatican II - regrets that women are no longer required to cover their heads in church, required to wear a veils. So naturally she makes no effort to understand the feminists' critique of the church, to address their concerns, to respond to their specific complaints. Has no respect for feminists. States quite flatly that "Feminists are women's greatest enemy". She seems not to know that there are devout Catholic women, including nuns, who, out of their real love for the church, are struggling, sometimes at great personal cost, to expand the role of women in the life of the church. If she did, she would probably dismiss them too. Instead of grappling with their concerns (e.g. the ordination of women) von Hildebrand provides an unapologetic exposition of the church's most ultra-conservative view of women - that they are frail ("their weakness is their strength"), are more emotional, less rational than men, are the guardians of purity (and so are more at fault then their male partners in illicit sexual relationships), are gifted with "receptivity", are privileged with the gift of motherhood, are all born to be mothers, and so forth. Course, for her the conclusive proof of the high value placed on womanhood in the church is the honor it bestows on the Virgin Mary - this despite the fact that Mary, while held out as an ideal of womanhood, is more a goddess than a real, flesh and blood woman - is a virgin, born without sin, hence free from the effects of that original sin: menstruation, the pangs of child birth, death itself - that she is a "one-of-a-kind". Course, these arguments are not particularly convincing, are certainly not new, are not just Hildebrand's. What I did find original to her are the many arguments she based on the physiology of the female body - arguments based, for example, on the fact that all female babies, even those resulting from rape or incest are born "modest", with a "veil" guarding their sexual organs - or that a woman's body is more sacred than a man's because during pregnancy it has been touched by God who enters it to implant the soul of the infant - or that unlike in ancient Greco-Roman religion where the herms, the phallic statues, are omnipresent, Catholicism emphasizes the female organ, the womb, which is continuously mentioned in the prayers of the faithful. The author's views of the female character are so extreme, so medieval, that she unintentionally makes a powerful argument for a radial reconsideration, a reformation, of the Roman Church's view of femininity....more

I am only half way through this remarkable book but I know I will finish it soon. At first I felt very much like screaming until I realized that perhaps I have been a bit indoctrinated by "Liberal Feminists" and that my own feminist philosophy ought to be updated. The thing that I dislike about this book is her generalization that all women cry or that all women are "dainty" however, I do feel that structurally and biologically I can see why and how she is able to make these bold claims. I thinkI am only half way through this remarkable book but I know I will finish it soon. At first I felt very much like screaming until I realized that perhaps I have been a bit indoctrinated by "Liberal Feminists" and that my own feminist philosophy ought to be updated. The thing that I dislike about this book is her generalization that all women cry or that all women are "dainty" however, I do feel that structurally and biologically I can see why and how she is able to make these bold claims. I think this book is great for conservative and liberal readers alike if only to open up the mind to other viewpoints and to start a holistic dialogue among women about being a woman....more

I feel really troubled that this book has received so much high praise (and average of 4.3 on Goodreads? Seriously?), and it confirms to me that the only people who pick this up are the ones who are already eager to swallow anything that gets the Vatican's approval, no matter how inane it is.

It is indeed a privilege to be a woman, but I wish that Alice von Hildebrand could have made that point without saying so many utterly stupid things. She essentially makes an argument that is in line with cI feel really troubled that this book has received so much high praise (and average of 4.3 on Goodreads? Seriously?), and it confirms to me that the only people who pick this up are the ones who are already eager to swallow anything that gets the Vatican's approval, no matter how inane it is.

It is indeed a privilege to be a woman, but I wish that Alice von Hildebrand could have made that point without saying so many utterly stupid things. She essentially makes an argument that is in line with certain schools of feminism (that women should be valued for their "feminine" traits rather than try to become "more like men"), even as she discounts feminism while having absolutely no understanding of its breadth or depth. (In fact, it seems the only feminist she's ever read is Simone de Beauvoir.) For example:

“The agenda of feminists, while animated by a hatred of men, aims at virilizing women so that they can gain control over their bodies, their destiny.” (p. 2-3)

and

“Unwittingly, the feminists acknowledge the superiority of the male sex by wishing to become like men. They foolishly want to alter inequality rather than to achieve truth or justice.” (p. 10)

[Because somehow fighting inequality is NOT justice?]

While acknowledging that, "generalization is risky" (p. 40), she goes on to make sweeping generalizations with absolutely no evidence to back them up, including the following:

- If you lead a group of men and a group of women into a room in which there is a computer and a baby, all the women will go to the baby, and all the men will go to the computer (p. 59-60)

- "If all the tears shed by women had been collected since the beginning of the world, they would compete with the sea. The tears shed by men might fill a pond of modest size. (p. 37)"

- That it is "no coincidence" that marriages that use artificial contraception break up more often (p. 94). (There is absolutely NO citation for this "fact," which fails to mention that 93% of married couples use contraception, INCLUDING, Catholics. So any conclusions drawn from that remaining 7% seem totally bogus. Ever hear of too-small sample sizes? What about "correlation is not causation"?)

- That women who have abortions are plagued with "self-hatred" and become "suicidal." (pg. 61). (I'm sure some of them do. So do some women who have children.)

Her logic is totally twisted, such as her idea that the fact that the Catholic Church gives women no power is actually a way of "honoring" them (pg. 106). And her bizarre ideas about the relationship between men and women aren't even compatible with one another (she claims that women are called to be the "conscience" of man - p. 29 and also that men are responsible for telling women which of their emotions are "valid" and which are "irrational" - p. 38. After which Ivan asked me the very good question of, "How am I suppose to tell you which of your emotions are valid if I don't have a conscience?!" to which I would reply, "Why the * would I marry a man who didn't have a conscience?!?) But then she goes on to say the most "holy" people embody both masculine and feminine characteristics -- which goes against her whole thesis of the sacristy of "separateness" and "difference" (p. 76).

I initially gave this book 2 stars, but I had to downgrade it after I reviewed the two pages of bat***t crazy quotes I took down from it, and because, to serve as a warning for all, this book's average rating on Goodreads REALLY needs to be brought down a few notches. While there are a few interesting or even beautiful observations and ideas tucked away in these 108 pages, for the most part, von Hildebrand's tangential, unsupported work mostly just lends credence to her thesis about women's intellectual "inferiority."...more

It is a good book for popular consumption that will convey the general culture of the femenine in Catholicism in the aftermath of The New Femenists (Orthodox Catholic Theologians who reaffirm the basic tenets of femeninity while embracing society's new appreciation of womanhood). It is a good inspirational and summary book that is quick and easy to read. It is not however a work of deep theological insight or advancement. There is very little looking at the scriptures and almost no historical coIt is a good book for popular consumption that will convey the general culture of the femenine in Catholicism in the aftermath of The New Femenists (Orthodox Catholic Theologians who reaffirm the basic tenets of femeninity while embracing society's new appreciation of womanhood). It is a good inspirational and summary book that is quick and easy to read. It is not however a work of deep theological insight or advancement. There is very little looking at the scriptures and almost no historical context about how the church about the nature of woman have 'evolved' through history. A better book to look at for theology buffs from a phenomenological approach is Woman: a collection of essays by Edith Stein. There are certain parts of the book, where Hildebrand seems to be saying that men and women have different capacities for being moral and I'm not sure the Church posits this. But then again, we are talking about issues where there isn't a clearly articulated teaching, but merely a tradition of thinkers and their opinions....more

Indeed, it is a priviledge to be a woman! The only reason this took so long to read is that I only read the book during part of Adoration once a week (books in the Adoration space are not to be removed). Many of the pages included great food for thought. It reminded me of a fruitful Lasallian class minus the inter-person dialogue. Father Cook actually recommended this book in his October Pro-life Mini-Series homily on Modesty (smiles- Kim & Lill would know why that amuses me)...and I was aboIndeed, it is a priviledge to be a woman! The only reason this took so long to read is that I only read the book during part of Adoration once a week (books in the Adoration space are not to be removed). Many of the pages included great food for thought. It reminded me of a fruitful Lasallian class minus the inter-person dialogue. Father Cook actually recommended this book in his October Pro-life Mini-Series homily on Modesty (smiles- Kim & Lill would know why that amuses me)...and I was about 20 pages from the end when I listened to that homily. ...more

I love this little book so much! It's full of wisdom and good sense. It's one to read more than once, because there are so many profound statements that just can't all be absorbed the first time through. This book should be read by men and women. It truly is a privilege to be a woman, and the greatest accomplishment is to be the woman that God created you to be, not the woman that society wants you to be.

Amazing little book! If your major issue with contemporary feminism is that there is nothing particularly "feminine" about it (that is, if you've recognized that most feminists adopt a masculinized view of gender differences), then you will love this book. Hildebrand, with a philosopher's eye, exalts and analyzes the unique benefits of being a woman -- of being essentially different than men.

I felt like this book didn't teach me anything new from beginning to end. It gave no difference between man and women besides character and personality traits which are not differences, because sensitivity, courage, strength, and weakness are not inherently masculine or feminine traits they are human ones.

If you are an adult able to read (obviously in English) then you should read this book. It is for you. It is for your spouse. It is for your priest, your siblings, your parents, your friends. Bottom line: Take a chance and read this book.

A great book that every woman should read...and tell her husband/boyfriend about. It might seem counter to what "pop culture" tells us is good about being a woman but it definitely rings true with what your heart feels about being a woman.

This is an odd read, in that I agree with all of AvH's conclusions, but am frustrated by the arguments she makes to arrive at them. It's beyond preaching-to-the-converted; it's an argument that only the converted can follow.

A supurb study and reflection on woman as a unique, mysterious creation of God and the blessings of traditional femininity. I highly recommend this to anyone who may need insights into the errors of modern, radical feminism.

I'm reading it again. Especially in our culture today I need a regular reminder that it is okay to be a woman. I don't have to apologize for my emotions, inclinations, thought processes etc. This is how woman was made.

I really enjoyed this book we are reading for our book club. The writing is clear and easy to understand, but the meaning is deep. I really needed to read this book at this time in my life. It's easy to feel unappreciated as a mother and teacher!

It's a good book overall. I disagree with some of her theology (e.g. the soul and body being created separately), and I don't buy some of her arguments. Still she does a great job of discussing the sacramental nature of femininity and maternity. Would recommend.

Alice von Hildebrand DCSG (born Alice Jourdain; 11 March 1923 in Brussels, Belgium) is a Catholic philosopher and theologian and a former professor.

She came to the U.S. in 1940 and began teaching at Hunter College in New York City in 1947. She was married to the famous philosopher and theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889–1977), meeting him at Fordham University in New York, where she was a stuAlice von Hildebrand DCSG (born Alice Jourdain; 11 March 1923 in Brussels, Belgium) is a Catholic philosopher and theologian and a former professor.

She came to the U.S. in 1940 and began teaching at Hunter College in New York City in 1947. She was married to the famous philosopher and theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889–1977), meeting him at Fordham University in New York, where she was a student and he was a professor. She remained married to him until his death. Their grandson is anthropologist Martín von Hildebrand. She retired in 1984.

Alice von Hildebrand lives in the United States and is a lecturer and an author whose works include: The Privilege of Being a Woman (2002) and The Soul of a Lion: The Life of Dietrich von Hildebrand (2000), a biography of her husband. In 2014, she published her autobiography, Memoirs of a Happy Failure, about her escape from Nazi Europe and her teaching career at Hunter College....more

“Unwittingly, the feminists acknowledge the superiority of the male sex by wishing to become like men.”
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“The world in which we now live is a world whose outlook is so distorted that we absolutize what is relative (money-making, power, success) and relativize what is absolute (truth, moral values, and God).”
—
14 likes